Plymouth and Corsica Complete Class 1 Powerboat Calendar
The Class 1 World Offshore Championship returns to British waters after a six-year absence following today’s announcement by OSP (Offshore Sport Promotion) that Plymouth will host round 5 of the 2001 World Championship on Sunday, 29 July.
Britain’s triple World Champion Steve Curtis, will line-up in his 43ft, 150 mph, Lamborghini engined state of the art powerboat alongside twelve of the world’s leading teams and racers on Plymouth Sound for what promises to be an exciting race.
The deal to bring Class 1 back to the UK, agreed between the sport’s worldwide promoter OSP and local promoter Chris Parsonage guarantees the British public five years of ‘top flight’ racing. 'The agreement is a significant step for Class 1 and we are more than pleased to be back racing in the UK which is an important market for the sport,' said Nathan Knight, managing director, OSP. 'The natural amphitheatre that is Plymouth Sound is an ideal location to stage a Class 1 race as it will provide spectators with unprecedented views of the whole race course.'
The race will be run on Plymouth Sound and local promoter Chris Parsonage and ex Class 3 British Champion Steve Hore, who will be responsible for organising the event, believe that it will be spectacular. 'Plymouth and powerboats are a perfect fit. A fleet of powerboats this size makes an amazing spectacle and from Plymouth Hoe the crowds will enjoy panoramic views of all the action.
'The idea to bring Class 1 to Plymouth results from an initiative by Steve Gerry of Plymouth's 2020 Partnership and David May, Chairman of the Partnership's Brand Identity Group. I am convinced that an event of this stature will focus attention on Plymouth, not only as a thriving business centre but also as one of the major water sport centres in the south-west.'
The British Grand Prix which has the full support of the British National Authority, the RYA, will kick-off on Friday, 27 July with two free practice sessions followed by Time Trials on Saturday 28, July and the Class 1 British Grand Prix on Sunday 29 July.
OSP also announced that the Class 1 fleet will head to the picturesque harbour town of Saint Florent for the first time for round two of the championship on 17 June. Although a first for Saint Florent, the island of Corsica has hosted powerboat racing in the past, most notably the Viareggio-Bastia-Viareggio offshore classic first run in 1962. 'Saint Florent offers an ideal setting for the race and we have received tremendous support from the islands local government,' said Philippe Benhamou, whose company IREO has signed a three-year agreement with OSP to organise races in Corsica.
This year’s Class 1 calendar is now set with eight confirmed races and a reserve date held for 9 September following the withdrawal of Istanbul from the championship due to the present economic malaise in Turkey. The Malaysian Grand Prix is still scheduled to run on 7 October however there remains an issue with the local promoters who have yet to confirm which of two venues will host the event. The Class 1 World Offshore Championship starts in Trieste, Italy on June 3.
For further information contact:
Nigel Quilter
Q4 Media
19 Ridgway Road
Farnham
Surrey GU9 8NN
England
Tel: + 44 (0)1252 713223
Fax: + 44 (0)1252 726755
Mobile: + 44 (0)07785 325346
email: q@q4media.com
Britain’s triple World Champion Steve Curtis, will line-up in his 43ft, 150 mph, Lamborghini engined state of the art powerboat alongside twelve of the world’s leading teams and racers on Plymouth Sound for what promises to be an exciting race.
The deal to bring Class 1 back to the UK, agreed between the sport’s worldwide promoter OSP and local promoter Chris Parsonage guarantees the British public five years of ‘top flight’ racing. 'The agreement is a significant step for Class 1 and we are more than pleased to be back racing in the UK which is an important market for the sport,' said Nathan Knight, managing director, OSP. 'The natural amphitheatre that is Plymouth Sound is an ideal location to stage a Class 1 race as it will provide spectators with unprecedented views of the whole race course.'
The race will be run on Plymouth Sound and local promoter Chris Parsonage and ex Class 3 British Champion Steve Hore, who will be responsible for organising the event, believe that it will be spectacular. 'Plymouth and powerboats are a perfect fit. A fleet of powerboats this size makes an amazing spectacle and from Plymouth Hoe the crowds will enjoy panoramic views of all the action.
'The idea to bring Class 1 to Plymouth results from an initiative by Steve Gerry of Plymouth's 2020 Partnership and David May, Chairman of the Partnership's Brand Identity Group. I am convinced that an event of this stature will focus attention on Plymouth, not only as a thriving business centre but also as one of the major water sport centres in the south-west.'
The British Grand Prix which has the full support of the British National Authority, the RYA, will kick-off on Friday, 27 July with two free practice sessions followed by Time Trials on Saturday 28, July and the Class 1 British Grand Prix on Sunday 29 July.
OSP also announced that the Class 1 fleet will head to the picturesque harbour town of Saint Florent for the first time for round two of the championship on 17 June. Although a first for Saint Florent, the island of Corsica has hosted powerboat racing in the past, most notably the Viareggio-Bastia-Viareggio offshore classic first run in 1962. 'Saint Florent offers an ideal setting for the race and we have received tremendous support from the islands local government,' said Philippe Benhamou, whose company IREO has signed a three-year agreement with OSP to organise races in Corsica.
This year’s Class 1 calendar is now set with eight confirmed races and a reserve date held for 9 September following the withdrawal of Istanbul from the championship due to the present economic malaise in Turkey. The Malaysian Grand Prix is still scheduled to run on 7 October however there remains an issue with the local promoters who have yet to confirm which of two venues will host the event. The Class 1 World Offshore Championship starts in Trieste, Italy on June 3.
For further information contact:
Nigel Quilter
Q4 Media
19 Ridgway Road
Farnham
Surrey GU9 8NN
England
Tel: + 44 (0)1252 713223
Fax: + 44 (0)1252 726755
Mobile: + 44 (0)07785 325346
email: q@q4media.com